Clarets see record Deeney offer rebuffed

Chris Boden

Burnley are believed to have had a club record bid for Watford striker Troy Deeney rejected by the Hornets.

Watford have already turned down a £5m offer for the 26-year-old from Championship rivals Norwich City, who is also thought to be interesting West Brom, Aston Villa and Leeds, who are bracing themselves for the exit of top-scorer Ross McCormack.

Burnley smashed their transfer record five years ago in preparation for their first season in the Premier League, landing striker Steven Fletcher from Hibernian for £3m, and Deeney isn’t expected to leave Vicarage Road for at least double that figure.

The 6ft frontman had an excellent relationship with Dyche when the Clarets boss was at Watford, first as assistant to Malky Mackay, then as manager.

Deeney scored 24 goals in 44 appearances for the Hornets last season, having bagged 20 in 2012/13 - becoming the first Watford player to score 20 league goals in consecutive seasons since Cliff Holton in 1961.

Burnley are still expected to seal a £500,000 move for Bolton striker Marvin Sordell, and remain in the hunt for Derby County midfielder Craig Bryson - for whom they had a bid turned down last week - and West Brom centre back Craig Dawson, for whom they also had an offer rebuffed last month.

Meanwhile, Wigan Athletic midfielder James McArthur, linked with the Clarets earlier this summer, looks to be staying put, as Uwe Rosler looks to build his team around the former Hamilton ace.

Rosler said: “Before the World Cup started there were a few rumours about McArthur and (Shaun) Maloney, but I have spoken to them and they know they are two of the cornerstones of the team. Both will be massively important in my plans going forward.”